Rack bushings replacement

Anybody with experience replacing the steering rack bushings. Everyone I have talked to locally says its basically impossible to replace one of them. It just doesnt come out.. Plus I have a diff drop and hear it makes it even worse.

Any feedback?

 

You will have to remove the diff drop temporarily to get the long bolt out. Also the bushings were very easy to get out, one just requires you to cut the the lip off with a utility knife. They can be pressed out with a socket and some huge channel locks.

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/steering_bushing/

http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods/Toyota/SteerBushing/TacomaSteeringBush.htm

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/kristacoma/rackbushings/rackbushings.htm

 

The instructions say it will cause more vibrations.. This thing is already shaking off and on at highway speeds...

 

Dude it's not hard at all...removing your swaybar in the process will help. Steering rack bushings have nothing to do with vibration....it's something else that causes the vibration (tires?) and having stiffer bushings simply transfers those vibrations more efficiently to the driver. Do the mod, you'll be glad. But IIWY I'd track down and fix your vibe first.

 

Ive tried to figure it out. Problem is it comes and goes.. Not sure if its cause of road surface and reverberating through the suspension.. Ive had the tires rebalanced and the front end checked for looseness. Only thing found was a little movement in the rack and the slip joint in the steering column (which has been there since 20,000 miles)

 

This has already been posted (under a different address) -
http://www.lieblweb.com/steeringbush.html

Easy to do the steering rack bushings. Get that done because its a god idea to do it anyway.

Aside from that....You have a diff drop, so obviously you have a lift. Give us some information about your truck and lift.

 

Adjustable bilsteins with an aal.16x8 eagle alloys with 265/75/16 bfg ats

 

part of the issue is that everyone local too me says they cant do it..

 

Can't do what? Steering rack bushings?

YOU can do the steering rack bushings. Get yourself a buddy to help you. My husband and I did it ourselves. That write-up is my own.

 

I would attempt if i had somewhere too do it and some help/ tools

 

It really is very easy, if you can change your oil you can do the bushings. All you need is some basic hand tools.

 

I replaced mine last weekend. The hardest one was the middle bushing. But with some creativity its not a problem. I did not remove any sway bars or anything. Having very big channel lock pliers helped with the middle one. You need a crowbar or a long screw driver so you can pry the rack out of its holding area once all the bolts are removed so you can get out the bushings.

I wouldn't say its as easy as an oil change. Its definitely doable if you DIY a lot.

Today I will get an alignment because my steering wheel is not centered anymore.

 

Nothing comes apart easy on a truck from new england.. You need to either torch, cut or grind everything off.

 

That's for damn sure. Every single time I've gone to do something it's taken at least twice as long as it should because everything is rusted into a single lump. Even just changing the front brakes is a PITA because of those f*&^in' little pins up front there. IF you can find the space and some basic tools, and you have a day off to work on it, you can do it alone. I'm sure its easier with help, but it can be done by yourself.

 

still haven't found anyone willing to help replace them.. I'm gonna get it put on a lift to check the rest of the front end. This intermittent vibration is driving me insane

 

I did mine last week and it is not as easy as an oil change but not hard at all. If you are a monkey with half a brain you can do it. Tough part is breaking everything free and retorqing. I had an impact wrench to break everything loose which striped a bolt. I had to retap it a size bigger. The torqe on some of the bolts are 140 ftlbs. I weigh 120lbs so it was a bitch for me but I did by myself. Torque everything or else you are an idiot. Do it right or just don't do it. I wish I had replace my swaybar bushing's as well. good luck and God speed.

 

How did you get the old rround bushings out.. they fused in there.. I think id need a press

Plus I dont I can move my diff by myself.(diff drop)

 

Its easy, just get a jack under the diff, remove the bolts and lower it a tiny bit, remove the spacers and jack it back up.

As for removing the bushings, check those links I posted. You should spray something like pb blaster on all the bushings and try to get it between the bushings and rack. Then you should be able to press them out with some huge channel locks and a socket.

Also there is no need to undo one of the tie rod ends like some write ups say.

 

Yea they tried and couldnt get them out with a socket.. he said only way to do it would be to remove the rack and use a press. If a tech cant remive them on a lift how am I gonna do it on the dirt